I know
too well the virtue of madame de Rumas, her delicacy, and the
severity of her principles; I know too well likewise the sentiments
in which her excellent parents educated her, and I defy the blackest
malice to injure her in my estimation."
"Wonderfully, sir!" cried I; "so you determine to believe your
wife's virtue incorruptible, all the while you are profiting by
her intrigues. However, I am too certain of what I assert to
look on with the culpable indifference you are pleased to assume,
whilst your
wife is seeking to supplant me at the
chateau; you shall hear of me before long. Adieu, sir."
So saying, I quitted the room in search of the marechale, to
whom I related what had passed.
"And now, what think you of so base a hypocrite?" asked I, when
I had finished my account.
"He well deserves having the mask torn from his face," replied
she; " but give yourself no further concern; return home, and
depend upon it, that, one way or other, I will force him into
the path of honor."
I accordingly ordered my carriage and returned to Versailles,
where, on the same evening, I received the following letter
from the marechale:--
"MY DEAR COUNTESS, --My efforts have been
attended with no better success than yours. Well
may the proverb say, 'There is none so deaf as he
who will not hear,' and M.
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